Nigeria
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- a new constitution was adopted in 1999
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and tribal norms
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Senate and House of Representatives
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court (judges appointed by the Provisional Government Council); Federal Court of Appeal (judges appointed by the federal government on the recommendation of the Advisory Judicial Committee)
RELIGIONS
50% Muslims, 40% Christians, 10% local beliefs
From the country
- DECEMBER 26, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
NIGERIA: OSUN MECHANIC TO DIE BY HANGING FOR ARMED ROBBERY
An Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa on 17 December 2020 sentenced a 29-year-old mechanic, Sola Emorua, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
DECEMBER 8, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: APPEAL COURT UPHOLDS MARYAM SANDA’S DEATH SENTENCE
The Court of Appeal in the Nigerian capital Abuja on 4 December 2020 affirmed the death penalty imposed on Maryam Sanda, a mother of two, who was sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in November 2017.
DECEMBER 3, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: ONDO COURT SENTENCES THREE TO DEATH FOR ARMED ROBBERY
Three persons, Ikechukwu Chukwu, Obieze Sylvanus and Chidiebere Obi, have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ondo State High Court, The Nation reported on 27 November 2020.
NOVEMBER 25, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH IN EKITI FOR ROBBERY
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, on 24 November 2020 sentenced two persons, Adekunle Osho, 31, and Chinedu Ugwu, 34, to death by hanging for armed robbery.
NOVEMBER 21, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR KILLING SON FOR RITUAL PURPOSE IN ADAMAWA
A high court in Adamawa State sentenced a man to death for killing his son, the Daily Post reported on 19 November 2020.
NOVEMBER 12, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING FOR ROBBERY IN EKITI
An Ekiti State high court sitting in Ado Ekiti on 11 November 2020 sentenced two persons; Lanre Kayode, 34 and Olanrewaju Aremu, 35, to death by hanging for conspiracy and burglary.
NOVEMBER 9, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: MAN TO DIE BY HANGING FOR ROBBERY
A 44-year-old man, Rafiu Saheed was on 5 November 2020 sentenced to death by hanging for armed robbery and attempted murder in Osun State.
OCTOBER 11, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: HIGH COURT SENTENCES SERIAL KILLER TO DEATH BY HANGING
A Nigerian court handed out a death penalty sentence on 9 October 2020 to convicted serial killer Gracious David-West, accused in the deaths of nine women.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: KADUNA STATE SAYS RAPISTS WILL FACE SURGICAL CASTRATION
The governor of Nigeria’s Kaduna state has signed a law saying men convicted of rape will face surgical castration, and anyone raping a child under age 14 will face the death penalty, AP reported on 17 September 2020.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: FIVE TO DIE BY HANGING IN RIVERS
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has convicted and sentenced five persons to death by hanging for the murder of a staff member of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Anthony Okoro, The Nation reported on 9 September
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: YAM THIEF SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING FARMER
An Ekiti State high court, Ado Ekiti division, on 17 August 2020 sentenced a 26-year-old man, Dele Ojo, to death by hanging for murder.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2020NigeriaDEATH PENALTYNIGERIA: SINGER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BLASPHEMY IN KANO STATE
A musician in Nigeria's northern state of Kano on 10 August 2020 was sentenced to death by hanging for blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad.